Variator



INOV. 25, 1952 H N, Buss y 2,618,983

VARIATOR Filed July 19, 1949 3 sheets-sheet 1 89 /7 '57 56 90 A@ Mg@ @oNGO No#I 25; 149512- H. N. Buss 2,618,983

VARIATOR Filed July 19, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 5/ /05 /o/ #7@ 75 574e 32a@ 75 HARVEY NELJJJ H. N. BLISS Nov. 25, 1952 VARIATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet C5Filed July 19 1949 SMQ/wkn, HAR VEY NEL/ss @Wwf Patented Nov. 25, 19952UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VARIATOR Application July 19, 1949, SerialNo. 105,501'

11 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to liquid dispensing apparatus and moreparticularly to an improved speed change mechanism hereinafter referredto as a va-riatcr for use in liquid dispensing apparatus between themeter and register and adapted to be variously set to vary the drivefrom the meter to theregister in accordance with the cost per unit ofthe liquid being dispensed, the cost per unit at which the variator isset being automatically indicated by readily visible indicating means.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a variator which is ofcompact size and streamlined so that it may be utilized in liquiddispensing apparatus in a minimum of space and may be mounted with aminimum of difliculty Without, however, sacrificing desirableperformance characteristics of the variator and without the use ofelements of reduced size or inadequate structural strength whichnormally would be susceptible to breakage and malfunctioning and wouldotherwise be undesirable.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a variator having asimplified setting mechanism to facilitate the setting of the variatorat different speeds corresponding to price changes covering a widerange, it being particularly desired that the variator may be setmanually with a minimum of inconvenience and difliculty and withaccuracy and without strain or other possible damage to the device. Inconnection with this aim it is desired to provide a setting mechanism inwhich many of the parts utilized heretofore are eliminated and in whichinaccuracies of setting are substantially avoided.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a simplified indicatingarrangement for visibly showing the setting of the variator, this beingaccomplished by an improved cooperative functioning of indicating andsetting mechanism having a minimum of parts and being of compactconstruction and susceptible of installation without interfering with orcomplicating the variable drive mechanism.

A general aim of the invention is to provide a simplified variatormechanism of compact structure which will be of light weight and whichwill exhibit improved momentum and inertia characteristics leading togreater accuracy, which will be of rugged construction so that it willnot be likely to reduire repair orreplacement over extended periods ofuse and which through simplicity of construction and assembly may bemanufactured more economically and at lower cost.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more indetail hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exem-Dlified in the construction hereafter set forth and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side View of a specific embodiment of the variator of thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the device with the differential gearingthereof in cross section.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. l andlooking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, the embodiment of a variator of the presentinvention shown therein is provided with a frame denoted generally at I6and comprising a base I I and a raised platform` I2 spaced from the baseII and supported by posts I3, I4 and I5.

Positioned centrally of the frame is a shaft 2U' which is journaled inthe base II and the platform I2, this shaft being vertically disposed.The bottom of the shaft 2G is provided with coupling 2| by means ofwhich the shaft may be connected to a driving mechanism such as theconventional meter (not shown) ci liquid dispensing apparatus.

The shaft 20 has fixed thereto above the coupling 2| a gear 22 which isin mesh with a gear 23 fixed to a shaft 25 extending parallel to theshaft 20 and similarly journaled in the base II and platform I2. Theshaft 25 has an extension 25 extending above and through the journal I6on the platform I2 and to which is aflixed a beveled gear 26. Thebeveled gear 26 is thus directly driven by the meter and may be utilizedfor driving the registering mechanism (not shown) for indicating thequantity of liquid dispensed. As will be apparent, the indicatingmechanism may be supported, if desired, on the platform I2 with theextension 25 and beveled gear 26 extending upwardly therein. A notchedmember 44 is mounted on the shaft 20 just above the base II where itengages a pawl-like member 45 mounted on the base. The notched member 44`and pawl-like member 45 are designed to permit turning of the shaft 20in only one direction thus 3 effectively preventing any improper reverseoperation of the variator or the associated register (not shown) Fixedto the shaft 25 is a generally cone-like set of nine gears denotedgenerally at 30. This cone of gears comprises a series of gears ofvarying diameter, all rotated by the shaft 25. Mounted on the shaft 20and freely rotatable with respect thereto are a series of nine varyingspeed gears 32 which are all of the same diameter and have a like numberof teeth. Each of these gears 32 except for the first or bottom gear hasattached thereto a smaller gear 33 for rotation in unison therewith. Thesmaller gears 33 areof varying diameters and are in mesh with the topeight gears of the cone gears 33 fixed to the shaft 25. The first orbottom gear of the cone gears 3B meshes directly with the first orbottom gear of gears 32. The size of the gears 33 and the cone gears 33is selected so that the series of gears 32 are driven at rates which arein arithmetical progression, that is to say, with the bottom gear 32being driven at X R. P. M., then the rotation of the second gear 32 is2X R. P. M., that of the third gear 32 is 3X R. P. M., etc, throughoutthe series of gears. It will be noted that inasmuch as there are ninegears 32, there will be available a range of speeds varying in sequencein the relationship of 1 through 9.

Range shafts 35, 33 and 31 are mounted for rotation parallel to theshafts 20 and 25these range shafts being similarly7 journaled at the topand bottom in the platform |2 and base respectively. For convenience,two of the shafts, namely shafts 36 and 31, are mounted adjacent oneside edge of the frame while the remaining range shaft 35 is mountedadjacent the other side edge of the frame.

Each of the range shafts 35, 33 and 31 carry a range gear denoted at 33,3| and 32, respectively, these range gears being freely slidablevertically on the range shafts but being non-rotatable with respectthereto by reason of a spline 33, in each shaft, which is engaged, asshown more'particularly in Fig. 5 of the drawings, by a key i5 carriedby each of the range gears. As will be apparent, the range shafts 35, 33and 31 are so disposed and the range gears d5, il and 32 are of suchsize that the range gears can be meshed selectively with the series ofgears 32 on the shaft 25 merely by adjusting the vertical positions ofthe range gears 33, 3| and 32. Accordingly, the range shafts 35, 35 and3'! may thus be driven at varying speeds in the relationship of onethrough nine inclusive, depending upon which of the gears 33 is utilizedfor `driving the range gears mounted on the range shafts.

In order to provide for non-rotation of the range shafts, i. e., alock-out orzero position, there are provided pins 53 extending upwardlyfrom the base l i where the range gears 30, 3| and 42 may be broughtinto engagement therewith.

The range shafts 35, 33 and 31 have extensions 35', 35 and 31 extendingthrough journals 21, 23 and 29, respectively, formed on the platform l2.A take-off bevel gear 5| is rotatably mounted on the extension 35 fordriving the price registering mechanism of a register apparatus (notshown) utilized with the variator by the combined outputs of rangeshafts 35, 36 and 31. The outputs of the range shafts 35, 36 and 31 arecombined in proper magnitude for driving the take-off gear 5| by adifferential or epicyclic gear train. This gear train comprisesa gear 55xed to the extension 31 which drives a gear 51 rotatably mounted on theextension 33 through idler gear 53. The gear 51 rotatably supportsepicyclic pinions 58 and 53 which are in mesh with a pinion 53 fixed tothe extension 3B. Pinions 53 and 53 attached to pinions 53 and 59,respectively, are in mesh with and drive a pinion 5| xed to the gear B2which is rotatably mounted on the shaft extension 36. The gear 52through idler 53 drives the gear 33 rotatably mounted on the shaftextension 35'. The gear 513 rotatably supports the pinions 65 and 65which in turn are in mesh with a pinion 51 secured to the shaftextension 35. Pinions 65 and B6' which are Xed to pinions 65 and 53,respectively, engage the pinion 13 formed on the base of the beveledgear 5|. The epicyclic gear train is designed, as will be wellunderstood by one in the art, so that the outputs of range shafts 35, 36and 31 are combined to drive the take-off gear 5| in the ratio of l to10 to 100, respectively, whereby the output of first range shaft may bemade equal to multiples of ten cents, the output of second range shaftmay be made equal to units and the output of third range shaft may bemade equal to tenths of a cent.

Each of the range gears 53, 5| and 32 is positioned between the legs ofa generally U-shaped frame member 15 extending transversely around theperiphery of the range gear with its legs extending along cpposite facesof the range gear and journaled on the range shaft for sliding movementin a vertical direction. It will be noted that the range gears d3, 3|and 32 are provided with an enlarged hub denoted at 133', 6|', and 42which provide spaced bearing surfaces embraced by the legs of the framemember 15. it thus will be seen that the frame member 15 may be utilizedto hold the range gear accurately in any selected vertical position onthe range shaft.

Each of the frame members 15 is provided with a vertical rack 18 havingside iianges 19 as best sho-wn in Figs. 4 and 5. By reason of thejournaling of the spaced apart legs of the frame members'on the rangeshafts, the vertical positioning of the racks 13 without tilting isassured.

Mounted at opposite ends of the frame and transversely thereof in ahorizontal position are shafts and 8i whose ends are rotatably receivedin notches 32 of the frame members 83. Shaft 8@ has mounted thereon aseries of three indicating number wheels 35, 85 and 83 while indicatingnumber wheels 31, 83 and 33 are mounted on shaft 3|. These number wheelsare of higher and lower order and in combination are intended toindicate the cost per gallon of liquid being dispensed as set on thevariator, the rst of the wheels and 81) indicating tenths, the middlewheels (35 and 33) indicating units, and

. the third wheels (33 and 33) indicating multiples of ten. All of thenumber Wheels except number wheel 33 are freely rotatable on theirrespective shafts and have affixed thereto pinions 93 which are providedfor rotating same. Number wheel 35 is fixed to the shaft 3! and isadapted to be rotated by a pinion 93 xed to the shaft 8| between wheels81 and S3.

Mounted parallel tothe shafts 33 and 3| are jack shafts B93 and il,respectively, which similarly are rotatably journaled in notches |32 inthe frame members 33. The plates |03 which may be secured to the framemembers 83 by screws |35 are utilized for ease of assembly and to lockthe shafts in the notches 82 and |02.

The jack shaft |35 has rotatably mounted thereon a gear |55 which is inmesh With the rack l@ of the positioning frame member 'I5 associatedwith the range gear iii) and also With the pinion 9d fixed to the numberwheel 84. Accordingly, the vertical position of the range gear de isindicated directly by the rotated position of the number wheel 8f3 andthe value of the output of range shaft 35 in terms of the last digit(multiples of ten) of the cost per unit of liquid being dispensed may beindicated by suitable indicia such as the numbers O through 9,inclusive.

The position given to number wheel 84 is also given to number wheel 8Smounted diagonally in the opposite end of the frame. This isaccomplished through a gear I te rotatably mounted on the jack shaft IE@and fixed to the gear |95 so as to rotate simultaneously therewith. Thegear it meshes with an elongated rack I'I which is mounted forhorizontal sliding movement in slotted bosses I'I on the base II. Theopposite end of the rack Iill meshes with a gear |88 which is freelymounted on the jack shaft ISI and which in turn meshes with the pinion93, thus controlling the number wheel The number wheels d5 and 83indicate the position of the range gear 4I and thus the output of therange shaft 35, this shaft being the units output shaft. A gear l ill isrotatably mounted on the jack shaft lo@ in mesh with rack 'IS of thepositioning frame le associated with range gear 4|. rlhis gear Iii) hasassociated therewith an fixed thereto a second gear III likewiserotatably mounted on the jack shaft Ille. This gear III is in mesh withthe pinion il@ fixed to wheel 85 and also is in mesh with an elongatedrack II2 extending horizontally along the base and mounted for slidingmovement in additional slotted bosses il. The opposite end of the rackIIE engages a gear M3 rotatably mounted on the jack shaft Ill! whichgear IIS meshes with the pinin Sie xed to the number wheel 88.

The setting of the range gear i2 and hence the output of range shaft 3lis indicated by number wheels 86 and fi?. This is accomplished through agear IIE fixed to the jack shaft Iil which meshes with the rack 'i3 ofthe frame member I5 associated with the range gear d2. The gear IIEbeing fixed to the jack shaft ISI drives the jaclt shaft I 9| and alsothe gear II'I Which also is fixed to the shaft lill. Gear I I'I is inmesh with one end of an elongated rack IIS similar to the racks lill andH2 and similarly mounted for sliding movement on the base II throughslotted bosses il. rThe opposite end of the rack I I8 is in mesh with agear IIS rotatably mounted on the jack shaft Ide which meshes with thepinion 9e associated with number wheel 36. There is also fixed to thejack shaft itl a gear I2@ which is in mesh with the pinion til fixed tothe number wheel t?. Accordingly, number wheels 86 and 81 at oppositeends of the frame and diagonally spaced from each other indicate bysuitable indicia the setting of the range gear 42, this being measuredin tenths of cents.

When it is desired to set the variator, this may be done simply andconveniently in a manual operation, the operator merely grasping therange gear which he desires to set and moving it vertically on its rangeshaft into mesh with the desired gear 32 0r a pin 5i) if it is desiredto lock out that particular range shaft and the setting of the rangegears will be shown automatically on the associated number wheels by themechanism previously described. As previously mentioned, the rangeshafts carrying the range gears are mounted closely adjacent the sideedge of the variator and these portions are Wide open to permit freeaccess to the gears, and whereby it is possible to eliminate anyancillary mechanisms for moving the gears. When setting the range gears,the operator will probably find that the teeth of the gears 32 will notnecessarily be in alignment. This is of no particular concern, however,because the operator can readily jiggle the range gear as necessitatedto permit it to mesh with or pass through the gears 32. It Will be notedthat the side flanges 'l oil the racks 'i8 by engagement with the sidefaces of the gears With which the racks are in mesh effectively preventany turning of the frame members l5.

To facilitate the accurate positioning of the range gears, each of theracks |67, II2 and IIS is provided With a plurality of notches |26 whichare adapted to be engaged by spring pressed plungers IZI. The form ofthe notches and plungers is such that they will permit the range gearand hence the racl; to be moved provide-:l suitable force is applied,but they will give a noticeable indication when the range gears areaccurately placed.

In order to form a positive lock for the range gears when placed inselected position, there may be provided a slide |23 extending acrossthe bottom of the plungers i2! The slide |255 is shown with struck outportions IM for permitting free movement of the plungers I2! whenbrought into alignment therewith. This can be accomplished readily fromeither side of the variator by manually pushing or pulling (as the casemay be) the slide IZI to the left as indicated in Fig. 6 ci thedrawings. A spring |25 normally holds the slide in the locking positionshown. The shape of the struck out portions |253 is such that they willhave a camming eifect on the piungers and thus will properly seat themif they are not already fully seated. If the failure of the plungers I2| to properly seat is a result of improper alignment ofthe range gearswith the gears 32, the plungers will cam the racks to proper position,

. thus correcting or adjusting the setting of the range gears. With theslide |23 in locking position, the plungers i2! cannot be cammed out ofthe notches |20 and therefore movement of the range gears from selectedposition is effectively prevented.

It will be noted that the completed variator is in the form of a compactand rugged instrument having no undesirable protuberances and with manyof the parts and instrumentalities of conventional variators eliminatedbut without, however, any sacriiice of function. rEhe instrument is ofsimplified and convenient construction and assembly leading to economyand low cost in manufacturing, the instrument fully meets the needs ofthe industry for accuracy and for other-.- wise accomplishing thefunctions of preferred commercial variator, and its arrangement for thesetting and for indicating the setting, of the range gears has beengreatly simplied and improved.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and manyapparently Widely different embodiments of this invention could be madewithout departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the language used in the followingclaims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features ofthe invention herein described and all statements of the scope of theinvention which, as a matter of language, might be said to falltherebetween,

I claim as my invention:

l. In a device of the character described having a series ofconcentrically mounted gears of equal diameter having a vertical axis ofrotation, a drive shaft, means for rotating the gears at different ratesof speed from said drive shaft, a range shaft mounted parallel to and inxed spaced relation to the axis of rotation of said series of gears, arange gear slidably but non-rotatably mounted on the range shaft formeshing selectively with one of the series of gears, and a number wheelfor indicating the position of the range gear, the combinationcomprising a frame for the range gear having open side portions topermit the gear to be grasped by the operator to change the setting ofthe range gear, a shaft for rotatably supporting the number wheeldisposed transversely of the series of gears and. intermediate the endsthereof, means forming a driving connection between the frame and thenumber wheel, and manually releasable locking means for said drivingconnection.

2. In a device of the character described having a series ofconcentrically mounted gears of equal diameter, a drive shaft, means forrotating the gears at different rates of speed from said drive shaft, aplurality of range shafts mounted parallel to the axis of rotation ofsaid series of gears, a range gear axially slidable but nonrotatablymounted on each of said range shafts for meshing selectively with one ofthe series of gears, and two sets of number wheels of higher and lowerorder for indicating the setting of the range gears, the combinationcomprising means for mounting the range shafts adjacent a predeterminedtransverse axis of said series of gears, means for mounting said sets ofnumber wheels on opposite sides of the series of gears and generallyparallel to said predetermined transverse axis, a frame for each of saidrange gears having an open side portion to permit the gear to be graspedby the operator to change the setting of the range gear, means forming adriving connection between each of the frame members and a correspondingnumber Wheel, and means including a rack extending across one end of theseries of gears for interconnecting corresponding number wheels of theopposite sets.

3. In a device of the character described having a shaft, a series ofgears of equal diameter and of like number of teeth freely rotatable onthe said shaft and driven at varying speeds, a range shaft adapted to bemounted parallel to the first named shaft, a range gear axially slidablebut non-rotatably mounted on said range shaft for meshing selectivelywith one of the said series of gears, and indicating means comprising arotatable indicator member for indicating the setting of the range gear,the combination comprising means for mounting the rotatable indicatormember transversely of the said shafts and spaced radially from the saidseries of gears, positioning means provided with each range shaft andits associated range gear comprising a frame slidably mounted on therange shaft but retained against rotation with the shaft, said framebeing disposed radially of the gear to permit the gear to be manuallygrasped by the operator and having an outwardly facing rack formedthereon, means for positioning the range shaft adjacent one side of therotatable indicator member to permit the gear positioned thereby to begrasped by the operator during the setting of same, and a drivingconnection between the rack of the gear positioning frame and theassociated indicator member for setting the indicator member when theframe is moved and including a gear meshing with the rack.

4. In a device of the character described having a drive shaft adaptedto be rotated by a meter, gear steps mounted to rotate with said driveshaft, a second shaft mounted parallel to the drive shaft, a series ofgears of equal diameter and of like number of teeth freely rotatable onthe second shaft and driven at varying speeds through said gear steps, aplurality of range shafts adapted to be mounted parallel to the firstnamed shafts, a range gear axially slidable but non-rotatably mounted oneach of said range shafts for meshing selectively with one of the saidseries of gears, and indicating means comprising a plurality ofrotatable indicator members of higher and lower order for respectivelyindicating the setting of the range gears, the combination comprisingmeans for mounting the rotatable indicator members in side by siderelationship for rotation about an axis transverse to the said shafts,manually operable positioning means provided with each range shaft andits associated range gear comprising a generally U-shaped frameextending transversely about the periphery of the gear and substantiallyat right angles to the axis of rotation of said rotatable indicatormembers with its legs slidably journaled on the shaft to prevent tiltingof the frame and for positioning the gear on the shaft therebetween,said frame being provided with an outwardly facing rack thereon, and adriving connection between the rack of each gear positioning frame andits associated indicator member for setting the indicator member whenthe frame is moved, and including a gear meshing with the rack.

5. In a device of the character described having a drive shaft adaptedto be rotated by -a meter, gear steps mounted to rotate with said driveshaft, a second shaft mounted parallel to the drive shaft, a series ofgears of equal diameter and of like number of teeth freely rotatable onthe second shaft and driven at varying speeds through said gear steps, aplurality of range shafts adapted to be mounted parallel to the firstnamed shafts, a range gear axially slidable but non-rotatably mounted oneach of said range shafts for meshing selectively with one of the saidseries of gears, and indicating means comprising a plurality ofrotatable indicator members of higher and lower order for respectivelyindicating the setting of the range gears, the combinaticn comprising ashaft for supporting the rotatable indicator members disposedtransversely of the first-mentioned shafts, positioning means providedwith each range shaft and its associated range gear comprising a frameslidably mounted on the range shaft but retained against rotation withthe shaft for holding said gear in selected vertical position andprovided with an outwardly disposed rack, said frame being diS- posedsubstantially at right angles to said supporting shaft for the rotatableindicator members, a second shaft parallel to the last-named shaft and adriving connection between the rack of each gear positioning frame andits associated indicator member for setting the indicator member whenthe frame is moved and including a gear mounted on the second transverseshaft meshing with the rack.

- asi-8,983

6. In a device of the character described having a drive shaft adaptedto be rotated by a meter, gear steps mounted to rotate with said driveshaft, a second shaft mounted parallel to the drive shaft, a series ofgears of equal diameter and of like number of teeth freely rotatable onthe second shaft and driven at varying speeds through said gear steps, aplurality of range shafts adapted to be mounted parallel to the firstnamed shafts, a range gear axially slidable but non-rotatably mounted oneach of said range shafts for meshing selectively with one of the saidseries of gears, and indicating means comprising a plurality ofrotatable number Wheels of higher and lower order for respectivelyindicating the setting of the range gears, the combination comprising apair of shafts spaced at opposite sides of the said second shaft andextending transversely thereto for supporting a plurality of rotata-blenumber wheels of higher and lower order in side by side relationship oneach of said transverse shafts, positioning means provided with eachrange shaft and its associated range gear comprising a frame slidablymounted on the range shaft but retained against rotation with the shaftfor holding said gear in selected vertical position and provided with anoutwardly facing rack, a driving connection between the rack of eachgear positioning frame and an associated number wheel for setting thenumber wheel when the frame is moved, and including a gear meshing withthe rack, and connecting means for synchronizing the position of eachpair of corresponding number wheels on said opposite shafts, includingan elongated rack mounted for movement transversely of said second shaftand gear means meshing with the elongated rack.

7. in a device of the character described having a drive shaft adaptedto be rotated by a meter, gear steps mounted to rotate with said driveshaft, a second shaft mounted parallel to the drive shaft, a series ofgears of equal diameter and of like number of teeth freely rotatable onthe second shaft and driven at varying speeds through said gear steps, aplurality of range shafts adapted to be mounted parallel to the rstnamed shafts, a range gear axially slidable but non-rotatably mounted oneach of said range shafts for meshing selectively with one of the saidseries of gears, and indicating means comprising a plurality ofrotatable number wheels of higher and lower order for respectivelyindicating the setting of the range gears, the combination comprising apair of shafts spaced at opposite sides of the said second shaft andextending transversely thereto for supporting the rotatable numberwheels of higher and lower order in side by side relationship on each ofsaid transverse shafts, positioning means provided with each range shaftand its associated range gear comprising a frame slidably mounted on therange shaft but retained against rotation with the shaft for holdingsaid gear in selected vertical position and provided with an outwardlyfacing rack, a driving connection between the rack of each gearpositioning frame and an associated number wheel for setting the numberwheel when the frame is moved, and including a gear meshing with therack, and connecting means for synchronizing the position of each pairof corresponding number wheels on said opposite shafts, including anelongated rack mounted for movement transversely of said second shaftand gear means meshing with the elongated rack, and

side by side means for retaining the range gears, positioning frames,and number Wheels in selected position comprising releasable meansengaging the elongated racks.

8. In a device of the character described havling a drive shaft adaptedto be rotated by a meter, gear steps mounted to rotate with said driveshaft, a second shaft mounted parallel to the drive shaft, a series ofgears of equal diameter and of like number of teeth freely rotatable onthe second shaft and driven at varying speeds through said gear steps, aplurality 0f rang@ shafts adapted to be mounted parallel to the rstnamed shafts, a range gear axially slidable but non-rotatably mounted oneach of said range shafts for meshing selectively with one of the saidseries of gears, and indicating means comprising a plurality ofrotatable indicator members of higher and lower order for respectivelyindicating the setting of the range gears, the combination comprising apair of shafts spaced at opposite sides of the said second shaft andextending transversely thereto for supporting the rotatable numberwheels of higher and lower order in relationship on each of saidtransverse shafts, positioning means provided with each range shaft andits associated range gear comprising a frame slidably mounted on therange shaft but retained against rotation with the shaft for holdingsaid gear in selected vertical position and provided with an outwardlyfacing rack, a driving connection between the rack of each gearpositioning frame and an associated number wheel for setting the numberwheel when the frame is moved, and including a gear meshing with therack, and connecting means for synchronizing the position of each pairof corresponding number wheels on said opposite shafts, including anelongated rack mounted for movement transversely of said second shaftand gear means meshing with the elongated rack, each of said elongatedracks being provided with a series of notches, and means for retainingthe range gears, positioning frames, and number wheels in selectedposition comprising a plunger biased into engagement with the notches ofeach elongated rack.

9. lin a device of the character described having a drive shaft adaptedto be rotated by a meter, gear steps mounted to rotate with said driveshaft, a second shaft mounted parallel to the drive shaft, a series ofgears of equal diameter and of like number of teeth freely rotatable onthe second shaft and driven at varying speeds through said gear steps, aplurality of range shafts adapted to be mounted parallel to the firstnamed shafts, a range gear axially slidable but non-rotatably mounted oneach of said range shafts for meshing selectively with one of the saidseries of gears, and indicating means comprising a plurality ofrotatable number wheels of higher and lower order for respectivelyindicating the setting of the range gears, the combination comprising e,pair of shafts spaced at opposite sides of the said second shaft andextending transversely thereto for supporting rotatable number wheels ofhigher and lower order in side by side relationship on each of saidtransverse shafts, positioning means provided with each range shaft andits associated range gear comprising a frame slidably mounted on therange shaft but retained against rotation with the shaft for holdinasaid gear in selected vertical position and provided with an outwardlyfacing rack, a driving lconnection between the rack of each gearpositioning frame and an associated number wheel for setting the numberwheel when the frame is moved, and including a gear meshing with therack, and connecting means for synchronizing the position of each pairof corresponding number wheels on said opposite shafts, including anelongated rack mounted for movement transversely of said second shaftand gear means meshing with the elongated rack, each of said elongatedracks being provided with a series of notches, means for retaining therange gears, positioning frames, and number wheels in selected positioncomprising a plunger biased into engagement with the notches of eachelongated rack and releasable locking means for retaining the plungersin engagement with said notches.

l0. In a device of the character described having a drive shaft adaptedto be rotated by a meter, gear steps mounted to rotate with said driveshaft, a second shaft mounted parallel to the drive shaft, a series ofgears of equal diameter and of like number of teeth freely rotatable onthe second shaft and driven at varying speeds through said gear steps, aplurality of range shafts adapted to be mounted parallel to the firstnamed shafts, a range gear axially slidable but non-rotatably mounted oneach of said range shafts for meshing selectively with one of the saidseries of gears, and indicating means comprising a plurality ofrotatable number wheels of higher and lower order for respectivelyindicating the setting of the range gears, the combination comprising apair of horizontal shafts spaced at opposite sides of the said secondshaft for mounting a plurality of number wheels of lower and higherorder on each of the horizontal shafts, pinions mounted on the saidhorizontal shafts and respectively connected to the number wheelsmounted thereon, positioning means provided with each range shaft andits associated range gear comprising a frame slidably mounted on therange shaft and retained against rotation therewith for holding saidgear in selected vertical position and provided with an outwardly facingrack, and means for setting the number wheels when the frames are moved,including a jack shaft parallel to each of said number wheel supportingshafts disposed between each of said supporting shafts and the saidsecond shaft, a plurality of horizontal sliding elongated rack membersextending between said jack shafts, and gear means on the jack shaftsmeshing with the racks of said gear positioning frames with said slidingracks and with the pinions connected to the number wheels.

11. VIn a device of the character described having a drive shaft adaptedto be rotated by a meter, gear steps mounted to rotate with said driveshaft, a second shaft mounted parallel to the drive shaft, a series ofgears of equal diameter and of like number of teeth freely rotatable onthe second shaft and driven at varying speeds through said gear steps, aplurality of range shafts adapted to be mounted parallel tothe firstnamed shafts, a range gear axially slidable but non-rotatably mounted oneach of said range shafts for meshing selectively with one of the saidseries of gears, and indicating means comprising a plurality ofrotatable number wheels of higher and lower order for lrespectivelyindicating the setting of the range'gears, the combination comprising apair vof shafts spaced at opposite sides of the said second shaft andextending transversely thereto for supporting the number wheels of lowerand higher order to provide corresponding number wheels at radiallyopposite sides of the said series of gears for respectively indicatingthe setting of the range gears, positioning means provided with eachrange shaft and its associated range gear comprising a generallyU-shaped member extending transversely about the periphery of therange'gear with its legs slidably journaled on the range shaft toprevent tilting of the member and extending generally radially of thesaid number wheel shafts and for positioning the range gear on the rangeshaft, said U-shaped member being provided with an outwardly facingrack, a connection between the rack of each gear positioning member 'andan associated number wheel for setting the wheel when the U-shapedmember is moved and including a gear meshing with the rack, and meansfor synchronizing the movement of oppositely positioned correspondingnumber wheels, including longitudinally movable elongated racks and gearmeans meshing therewith.

- HARVEY N. BLISS.

REFERENCES CITED The following'references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,159,109 Spaunberg et al. May23, 1939 2,220,159 Kolb Nov. 5, 1940 2,311,031 DeLancey Feb. 16, 19432,375,787 Hazard May l5, 1945 2,476,275 Bliss July 19, 1949

